junk yard dog - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 04-08-2004, 01:35 AM

Last weedend I was walking my soon to be 16yr old daughter thru the local wrecking yard, (to show her the wrecks,maybe it will make her think twice). Anyway, I came across a very nice 85 300 turbo sedan. I snaged the perfect sun visors, ( which I found out are about a 1/2" longer than the 83CD,& won't quite clip in the support clips), used them anyway. Also got the perfect wood all the way up the dash, both seat belt recepticles, climate contol box,etc etc. What I am wondering is that the dash is perfect, no cracks etc. along with the seats, very nice palimino int. Should one buy this or at least the dash?. I pulled my parts out myself, but how hard is it to remove the dash?,is it worth it. Of course 2 wks ago I just put on the plastic overlay on mine. The car showed to 249,000 & the front end was gone back to the front of the engine. All doors seemed fine along with the rear. They just got it in, & would be pulling the engine, trans. etc soon. Anyway any thoughts on this would be appreciated, anybody need anything, email me, I will advise where its at, Pac. NW area.

william rogers · #2 04-08-2004, 01:55 AM

I am in the process of swicthing dashs from my one SD that I'm not driving to my SE.I have the dash out of the SD it took me close to half a day but I was working without a manual and had to figure out the normal MB tricks (they use a lot of the same logic on all their trim parts. The 123 should be similar.I think it's worth the effort for a nice dash and a good time to inspect vacuum system and wireing...........

William Rogers........

74 240 D, may run forever
81 SD, tranny slipping
81 SD, near mint
86 Euro 500 SE, freeway cruiser deluxe
81 2wd K5 Blazer 454 conversion, scary

Stevo · #3 04-08-2004, 01:03 PM

scottydodah

I did a couple dash swaps. Its not that hard. I needed a hand getting the fwd part "tucked" in and taking off the steering wheel helps allot. Also I needed to remove the trim on the windshield posts. You should be able to find the procedure by doing a search.

mikemover · #4 04-08-2004, 02:51 PM

It's easier on the 123s than on 116s. I have a friend that parts out a lot of cars, and he call pull a 123 dash in just over 10 minutes! I think it's worth it if the other dash is pristine. Just buy a good sunvisor and USE it when you park the car!

I'd also order new vacuum elements and replace all of that stuff while you have the dash out. Everything may be working fine now, but if they have never been replaced, they will give you trouble eventually...It's wise to do it while the dash is out if you can afford to do so.

Mike

mikemover · #5 04-08-2004, 02:52 PM

It's easier on the 123s than on 116s. I have a friends that parts out a lot of cars, and he call pull a 123 dash in just over 10 minutes! I think it's worth it if the other dash is pristine. Just buy a good sunvisor and USE it when you park the car!

I'd also order new vacuum elements and replace all of that stuff while you have the dash out. Everything may be working fine now, but if they have never been replaced, they will give you trouble eventually...It's wise to do it while the dash is out if you can afford to do so.

Mike

rmmagow · #6 04-08-2004, 04:25 PM

scottydodah

How does the overlay look? I am thinking of doing this for my 300CD. Thanks.

pdxwaker · #7 04-08-2004, 07:34 PM

I noticed you're in WA state... I'm in Portland and travel up & down the I-5 corrider somewhat frequently. Wanna let us in on where this car is located? I understand if you don't but I've had a hard time finding any W123s at the local pull it yourself wrecking yards.

-John

H-townbenzoboy · #8 04-08-2004, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rmmagow
How does the overlay look? I am thinking of doing this for my 300CD. Thanks.

Well rmmagow, I'll tell you, I test drove a 1984 300D Euro once, and I did not know there was a coverlay dash cover on the dash until the owner told me. It looked good. I might get one for the 300SD.
-Joe

#9 04-09-2004, 12:33 AM

The coverlay cover looks ok. Of course I was a little disappointed when it was just a hard plasic cover, I thought it might be a softer vinyl ?. I ordered the one with the leather grain, it does match very good. It fit very well also. However the hardest part was reinstalling the temp sensor, after the dash cover was installed. Pulling it up was simple, but it comes unpluged, & it drops down under the dash, (also has a plastic tee type fitting that the wire plug has to go thru, to plug in. Of cource I removed the under dash cover (under glove box), but hardly any access to plug. Finally I removed one of the dash vents,(in center, It twist off from the backside, then pulls out from the outside of the dash. I was able to get my hand thru the vent to finallly work the wire thru the plasic "do be careful", & feed it thru the hole in the dash, took over an hour. Now all I have to do is try to hook the rubber boot up to this vent from the backside, someday...I do not know an easier way, other than maybe removing the cover, (under the glove box), & get your hand up there to hold the wire plug, & push it up thru the dash while you unplug the plastic dash plug, (I would tie something to this wire assy., or ? to keep it out on the outside, sorry for the long thrd.
Regarding the location of the car, it is at wholesale auto wrecking,in Bellingham WA. I happen to know the owner so he did allow me to remove smy parts, however I don't think he will allow this for the public. I am quite happy with the dash cover, even though I am a perfectionist, its a hell of a lot better than all the cracks, would recommend it. Good luck.